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Chelsea identify three top transfer targets for Antonio Conte

By Rucker Haringey

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea will be big spenders this summer

Antonio Conte hasn’t completely captured this year’s Premier League title yet, but he already has Chelsea ticketed for a massive summer. The Blues have identified three very expensive transfer targets to help prepare them for next year’s Champions League action.

Predictably, Conte will look to strengthen his squad all over the pitch. That’s the luxury you have when you manage a squad that is already overflowing with world-class talent.

Starting from the front of the formation, Conte wants to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge. He wasn’t in charge when the Belgian attacker left for Everton, but he still wants to rectify the club’s mistake. Of course, the Toffees aren’t going to make it a cheap transaction. It’s widely believed that Roman Abramovich will need to cough up a transfer fee in excess of £80 million for the prolific goal scorer.

Lukaku won’t be the only big star coming in to strengthen the Blues’ attack though. Conte also has his eyes on Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean attacker’s contract with Arsenal is running down and rumours persist that he is desperate to leave his underachieving teammates behind. A move to Chelsea would certainly give him the opportunity to win the silverware he so desperately craves.

The challenge in acquiring Alexis is that Arsenal would certainly prefer to ship him outside of England. Bayern Munich are already plotting a bid in excess of £50 million for the talented attacker. If Chelsea want to pip the German giants, they’ll need to significant outbid Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

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Lastly, Conte also wants to give his back line further reinforcements. David Luiz has been a warrior at the heart of Chelsea’s back three this season, but they need to offer the talented Brazilian more help. That’s why they have their heart set on a move for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

Stop me if you’re picking up on a theme here, but he won’t be a cheap purchase either. The Saints know what a valuable commodity they have in their Dutch defender. Before his season was cut short due to injury, he was arguably the Premier League’s most in-form centre back. The combination of his aerial prowess and his ability to play with the ball at his feet would be welcome at any Premier League club.

Specifically, it fits Conte’s system like a glove. Van Dijk is the ideal centre back for a back three. He can play in space and battle physical strikers in one v one situations. His arrival would only add to a formidable Chelsea defense.

Next: Manchester United lead Chelsea for Lukaku

Time will tell if Chelsea can successfully land their three top transfer targets, but credit Conte for having good taste. The trio of Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Virgil van Dijk would be welcome additions for any club in Europe.

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